Africa Science Week to kick off at UDSM’s Nkrumah Hall on Friday
Next Einstein Forum (NEF) Ambassador in Tanzania, Dr Lwidiko Edward speaks during the past events.
What you need to know:
- The young scientists convene in Tanzania at a time when the country is striving to attain a middle income status through industrialization.
- Africa Science Week, marked across the continent in 35 countries aims to celebrate the efforts and unlock knowledge on solutions for development.
Dar es Salaam. Prominent young Tanzanians with enthusiasm in science and innovation are expected on Friday September 28 to gather at the University of Dar es Salaam’s Nkurumah Hall for the Africa Science Week.
The event, which aims to celebrate science and technology in Africa, is taking place in 35 African countries and is organized alongside the Next Einstein Forum (NEF) a platform that connects science, society and policy in Africa and the rest of the world.
NEF’s Ambassador in Tanzania, Dr Lwidiko Edward, said that students pursuing careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) will come together to exchange ideas on how Tanzania can achieve its Vision 2025.
“We are trying to reshape the narrative around innovation in Africa – from adhoc to science or research driven innovation. This is key to industrialization and transformation,’’ said the medic during an interview with The Citizen.
At UDSM’s Nkurumah Hall, there will be awards given to young Tanzanian women in science who have been involved in STEM outreach projects aimed to address community problems.
This will also be an opportunity to unveil the future Tanzanian female scientists and encourage their involvement within the community of scientists.
Dr Edward, a medical researcher currently pursuing a PhD in Malaria at Uppsala University in Sweden told The Citizen that a new generation of young scientists in Tanzania can be created through engaging students at an early stage.
Kisarawe District chosen
Dr Edward told The Citizen that the project he leads, dubbed: Projekt Inspire, seeks to host the Africa Science Week in Kisarawe District on the 29th of September in an effort to engage the area’s students in primary schools.
He said that the selection of Kisarawe was part of the on-going efforts to reach young science students in as many rural parts of Tanzania as possible.
Further, he said, “NEF is building a community of scientists which includes NEF Fellows, top scientists under 42 living and working across the world in fields such as science communication and public engagement activities locally.”
“This will be a chance of STEM enthusiasts to get network and exchange ideas towards an inclusive Tanzanian STEM community,’’ noted the Doc.
“Additionally, university students will get to learn about various platforms that they can get involved with towards contributing to STEM industry,’’ he added.
